6. Despite all the pressure, HDP prevailed in Turkey’s elections
26 June 2018/The RegionThe HDP has now succeeded in surmounting the ten per cent threshold winning around around 65 seats. According to the as-yet non-final results, the HDP surmounted the threshold taking around 11-12 per cent of the vote. According to the non-final results, the HDP continues to be the third largest party in parliament after the AKP and CHP.http://theregion.org/article/13729-despite-all-pressure-hdp-prevailed-turkey-039-s-elections
7. OSCE should avoid ‘biased’ analysis of Turkey’s election, Foreign Ministry says
26 June 2018/Hurriyet Daily NewsThe Turkish Foreign Ministry on June 26 urged the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) election observation missions to “avoid making political analysis” and “biased comments” on the country’s recent snap parliamentary and presidential elections, which took place under an ongoing state of emergency.http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/osce-should-avoid-biased-analysis-of-turkeys-election-foreign-ministry-says-133825

9. Voters had genuine choice in Turkish elections, but incumbent president and ruling party enjoyed undue advantage, including in media, international observers say
25 June 2018/Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)“We noticed a more intrusive presence of the police in polling stations than in previous elections, which contributed, in some cases, to creating a climate of insecurity, and possibly pressure against the electorate and, on occasion, international observers.” There were a number of attacks and disruptions of campaign activities, mostly against the People’s Democratic Party (HDP).https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/turkey/385704

4. Turkey’s Turning Point
25 June 2018/The TimesFor the next five years President Erdogan will be able directly to appoint top public officials, including ministers and vice-presidents. He will, under the power granted him by Turkey’s new constitution, be allowed to intervene in the country’s legal system. And he will have the right to impose a state of emergency. The constitution permits him to stand for a third term when his second finishes in 2023.https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/turkey-s-turning-point-pjtshgpzl?shareToken=8a5d4f76340329844e5ad256e27a60f8

EMERGENCY APPEAL FOR AFRIN

Life in Afrin

Weekly News Briefing

Jeremy Corbyn issues statement of support for the National Demo

Message from Jeremy Corbyn to Kurdish national demonstration in London:
“I’m sorry not to be able to be with you today, but I send a message of solidarity with today’s demonstration, and with the Kurdish people, under sustained attack across the Middle East.
The conflict in Syria has been the trigger for an onslaught against the Kurdish people, who are defending their autonomy and their rights.
We are watching closely the alarming events that have been unfolding in Turkey in recent weeks, including the killing of civilians and destruction of Kurdish homes.
Any negotiated settlement of the Syrian conflict must include peace and justice for the Kurds, including in Turkey. And the Turkish government needs as a matter of urgency to restart the peace process with the Kurds and respect the rights of all its people.
We call for an end to repression of the Kurds and justice for the Kurdish people throughout the Middle East.”

Destruction and Repression in North Kurdistan

Freedom for Ocalan!

On the 19th anniversary of his kidnap and imprisonment by Turkey, we renew our call for Abdullah Ocalan to be freed as part of a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question.